We anticipate the celebration of Jesus’ first coming through advent, while anticipating his second coming one day. And as we hold these two realities in tension – that our Savior has both already come and is still yet to come – the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas can become a holy period of preparation.
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin in word adventus, which means “coming.” Let us prepare our hearts with this idea, that he who was and is yet to come is coming among us too. We invite you to consider reading or participating in one of these experiences as you plan the next few weeks. Here is a list of a few we like:
- A daily meditation – The Gospel in Life, an organization founded by the late Tim Keller, is releasing a daily email devotional and weekly video by Tim and his wife, Kathy, to help readers prepare their hearts to celebrate the glory and hope found in the birth of Christ.
- A multi-sensory journey – In his book, Honest Advent, artist and storyteller Scott Erickson creates space for you to encounter the incarnate Christ in unexpected places: like a pregnancy announcement in an era of political unrest and empirical bloodshed, the morning sickness of a Middle Eastern teenager, and the shocking biology of birth that goes far beyond the sanitized brand of Christmas as we know it today.
- A balm for the hurting – Sometimes, Christmas is hard. If you’re struggling with feeling disconnected, mourning a loss, concerned about how secular Christmas feels, or are already exhausted and will be glad when it’s over, this may be the devotional for you. Dr. Scott Rodin and his daughter, Lindsay Kittleson, offer Stewarding Christmas to help you discover moments of meaning, joy, peace, and worship.
- A word study – The Bible Project has created four videos to help Christ followers understand more deeply the four main themes of the season: peace, hope, joy, and love. This would be an ideal accompaniment to a weekly family candle-lighting devotional time.
- A video experience – If the idea of sitting with the Mary, the mother of Jesus, as you prepare your heart for her Son Jesus’ arrival appeals to you, join Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing for 18 short video reflections, a unique perspective on the events surrounding the birth of the Savior of the world. Dr. Orr-Ewing, a lecturer in theology at the University of Aberdeen, England, offers this series as an accompaniment to her book, Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ.
- An online community conversation – In her book, Advent: A Season of Hope, Anglican priest and author Tish Harrison Warren enlightens readers of a third coming of Jesus apart from his first, in which he entered history, and his second, which is still to come. Warren shares how Christ is available to meet us in our present moment to make us holy. Prepare for Advent by joining her as she discusses this concept in free webinar presented on Friday, December 1, by The Trinity Forum. A recording of the event will be available after the date at the Trinity Forum website.
- A family experience – Parent Cue’s Advent box and Lifeway’s downloadable, video-enhanced family devotional with Matt and Lauren Chandler each help families with younger children keep Jesus at the center of the season. Both include Scripture readings, conversation starters, and prayer prompts.
- An invitation to expectation – If you find yourself distracted during this season and find focusing on God’s presence difficult, Advent Expectation by theologian Henri J.M. Nouwen may encourage you to find him in the midst of your hectic routine.
- A daily podcast – Annie F. Downs, author and speaker, offers a daily Advent Scripture reading on her podcast, That Sounds Fun, to anchor you in God’s Word as you’re out and about during this busy season. The podcast also has an accompanying guidebook, which is available in Spanish.
- A special study for teens – Jesus is often presented to young people at this time of year as the baby in a manger. Through The Messiah: A Youth Study for Advent, Kathy Wolf Reed draws on her experience in youth ministry to offer teens a broader perspective on Jesus through four teachings on his royal titles from the prophet Isaiah: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
